New Wing, New Heights For The MFA

It's a first for the Museum of Fine Arts; and maybe a first for the world. In November 2010, the MFA unveiled its $504 million Art of the Americas wing, one of the most comprehensive and expansive collections of American art to be exhibited at a single museum. WGBH covered the historic moment in full detail -- including the buzz of the wing's opening, a sneak preview of the collection and an exclusive tour of MFA Director Malcom Rogers' favorite works in the new wing.

The Museum of Fine Arts, already one of the largest museums in the country,is unveiling its new Art of the America’s wing – a sizeable expansion which is actually bigger than the Guggenheim in New York City. Greater Boston’s Jared Bowen joined Morning Edition’s Bob Seay to talk about the new expansion.

Sen. Scott Brown, Rep. Michael Capuano and Mayor Menino were among those in attendance as the MFA's new Art of the Americas was dedicated and opened to its first public viewings. Elliot Bostwick Davis, the chair of the MFA’s Art of the America’s department, said the wing brings an unparalleled collection of American art to Boston.

The Museum of Fine Arts’ new addition is no mere addition. The freshly opened Art of the Americas Wing at the MFA may well be considered a whole new museum in Boston -- a grand one. Jared Bowen gives us an overview of its four floors.

Amid the new wing’s 53 galleries, the MFA has created nine period rooms providing visitors a glimpse into the homes of prominent New England families from the late 1600s to the mid-1800s. Jared Bowen takes a tour.